Performance Nutrition - Feeding Horses Prone to Tying-Up

Muscle problems have previously had a variety of different names such as Monday Morning Disease, Setfast and tying-up, that have described the symptoms rather than the disease. Advances in research have resulted in a better understanding of the disorders and therefore more appropriate names have been introduced. Two distinct disease processes have been identified with each one seeming to be prevalent in certain breeds, suggesting that a genetic factor is likely to be involved.

Trigger Factors
One of the questions that frustrates owners of horses that suffer with these problems is why does it happen one day and not the next? Very often there is no obvious reason why the problem occurred on any given day but in some cases it can be that a number of trigger factors all coincided sufficiently to tip the balance. Possible trigger factors include not reducing the feed prior to a day off, not warming-up or cooling down properly, high starch diets, dehydration/fatigue and viral infections. On their own, the horse can often tolerate one or other of these factors but when several combine, problems can occur. 
 
Symptoms
The degree of severity of the symptoms can vary enormously from a horse that appears slightly stiff but is still able to work to some degree to a complete seizing of the muscles so that the horse can’t move. If the symptoms are only very slight then it is very difficult to diagnose the problem as there could be several other causes. It is important when seeking advice from a vet or nutritionist that you give details of when the problem occurred i.e. was it before, during or after the horse had worked, and as many details about the horse’s regime that day as possible as this will help them to advise you on a suitable diet.
  

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM)
  • Quarter horses, Warmbloods and draught horses are most commonly affected
  • Typically, quiet laid back animals but with no gender bias
  • Prevents normal metabolism of glycogen which is how the horse stores starch and sugars in his muscle
  • As the glycogen levels build up it causes pain in the muscles
Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER)
  • Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds most commonly affected
  • Excitable, highly strung increases risk with fillies more prone
  • A stress-related disorder involving a disruption of normal muscle calcium regulation

Feeding Strategies

PSSM
  • Eliminate cereal grains and molasses from the diet
  •  Use fat and fibre as energy sources according to the horse’s bodyweight and workload
  • Provide a balance of vitamins, minerals and protein
 
How to achieve this

Step 1 – Feed plenty of forage
Forage should form the basis of all horses diets but is particularly important in horses that can not tolerate large amounts of grain. Select as good a forage as possible as this will provide more energy and nutrients which will help to meet the horses overall requirements. Some alfalfa can be added to provide more nutrients than the same weight of hay would provide.  
 
Step 2 – Select a balancer
Baileys Lo-Cal  balancer for horses in light to moderate work or Stud Balancer for horses and ponies in moderate to hard work.  These will provide the nutrients required to maintain health and condition and for work
 
Step 3 – Add fat
Outshine is a high oil supplement that can be fed alongside a balancer and contains additional vitamins and minerals such as selenium and vitamin E which are vital for protecting the muscle cells and so is preferable to just adding straight oil. 
 
RER
  •  Reduce the starch content of the diet
  •  Ensure that any cereals in the diet have been cooked
  •  Ensure the diet is balanced
How to achieve this:

Step 1 – Change to a cube rather than coarse mixes
Baileys range of cubes are all lower in starch than the mix from the range with an equivalent nutrient level. Any cereals included in the cubes are micronised a form of cooking that increases the digestibility of the starch the cereals contain.
 
Step 2 – Check that the feed used is appropriate for the type and level of work the horse is doing
Feeds are formulated to be fed at certain levels and using the wrong one can mean that the horse isn’t receiving sufficient nutrients. If increasing the feed results in over-exuberant behaviour or weight gain then add a balancer as these will provide nutrients without energy.
 
Step 3 – Add an electrolyte supplement
RER is most common in horses in hard, fast work and so an electrolyte supplement is vital. Aqua-Aide can be used routinely or around an intense work period.
 
 
Management Tips:
  • Warm up and cool down the horse thoroughly 
  •  Do not confine the horse to the stable for long periods.
  • An episode of RER often seems to occur after the horse has suffered with a virus. If you suspect your horse has a virus then reduce the workload, particularly if the horse has had RER before. 
If you are uncertain what to feed your horse then please contact Baileys for advice. We are able to visit you to assess your horse, conduct forage analysis and produce individual feeding programmes all completely free of charge and with no obligation.